The awards season always comes with its fair share of surprises, but few films have had a more unexpected journey than Emilia Pérez. Touted as a major Oscar contender after its Cannes Film Festival debut, the musical crime drama directed by Jacques Audiard now finds itself struggling to maintain momentum. So, what exactly happened?
A Sensational Start at Cannes
When Emilia Pérez premiered at Cannes in May 2024, critics and audiences were stunned. The film, starring Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldaña, and Karla Sofía Gascón, blends a gripping cartel crime story with a bold musical format. It won the festival’s Jury Prize, and Gascón made history as the first transgender actress to win Best Actress at Cannes.
With such a strong start, Emilia Pérez seemed poised for Oscar glory. Many believed it would be a shoo-in for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress nominations. But as awards season progressed, the hype began to wane.
The Hollywood Campaign Machine
The Academy Awards are not just about artistic merit—they’re also about strategy. Many studios spend months (and millions) on carefully crafted Oscar campaigns. While heavyweights like Oppenheimer, Poor Things, and Killers of the Flower Moon dominated media coverage, Emilia Pérez struggled to maintain visibility.
Netflix, which acquired the film, has been pushing multiple contenders this season, including Maestro and The Killer. Some insiders suggest that Emilia Pérez simply didn’t get the same level of aggressive promotion as its competitors.
A Genre Conundrum
Another possible reason for its fading Oscar hopes is its unique genre. Emilia Pérez is an unconventional blend of crime thriller and musical—two categories that rarely mix. While this made it a standout at Cannes, it may not sit well with more traditional Academy voters. Historically, musicals tend to either dominate (La La Land, Les Misérables) or get completely overlooked (Annette).
The Trans Representation Factor
While Karla Sofía Gascón’s performance has been widely praised, the industry is still slow to embrace change when it comes to trans representation. Some believe Gascón deserves a Best Actress nomination, but given the Academy’s track record, it’s uncertain if voters will recognize her in such a significant category.
Could Emilia Pérez Make a Comeback?
Despite its struggles, Emilia Pérez is not out of the race yet. With the right push, it could still land key nominations, particularly for Best International Feature (if submitted by France), Best Actress, or Best Original Score. The film’s passionate fanbase and critical acclaim may help it gain last-minute momentum.
However, unless something changes soon, Emilia Pérez might end up as one of the biggest “what could have been” stories of this Oscar season. Whether Hollywood is ready to embrace its boldness or let it slip into the shadows remains to be seen.
- Read This Also – The Best New TV Shows Of January 2025 That You Can’t Miss!